New Development and Planning
GPL is often asked to participate in discussions about new projects that involve historic properties or impact historic districts as they are being formulated. We welcome such requests.
Maine State Pier Redevelopment
The City of Portland hosted series of public meetings in March and April 2009 to gather input on key issues that relate to the future of the Maine State Pier. The meetings are designed to inform the public on the history, policies and development goals for the pier, gather input from the public on key issues, and convey this information to the City Council. Visit our events page for the schedule of upcoming meetings. For more information or to register for the April 11 Community Design Workshop: www.portlandmaine.gov
This community process followed months of contentious debate during 2007 and 2008 over two competing proposals to redevelop the pier. Ultimately, neither developer chose to continue negotiations with the City for the project. In 2007, Greater Portland Landmarks’ Board developed 14 guiding principles to evaluate the proposals for redevelopment of the pier as a highly accessible community resource.
51-59 Danforth Street
Developer Nathan Szanton and architect David Lloyd invited GPL to comment on the design of a new project to create units of affordable and market rate housing on Danforth Street. GPL supports this project because it places a high value on design, uses good quality materials, and responds to the pedestrian environment by shielding the visual impact of parking with brick walls and landscaping. At the same time, the project addresses an important community need by providing mixed market rate and affordable housing. The developers have created a design that is clearly contemporary but also responsive to its context, and have kept design as an important priority in a tight budget.
Franklin Arterial
GPL, with the Bayside Neighborhood Association, the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization, and Portland Trails, co-sponsored a community visioning session on how the Franklin Arterial could be modified to reintegrate the neighborhoods it divides and become more pedestrian friendly. Read the entire PDF document Revisioning Workshop for Franklin Arterial.
In a related project, Architalx sponsored an exhibition called “Lost Sites” in which architects envisioned creative approaches to selected sites in Portland, including Franklin Arterial. Read more at The Vigorous North.
Veterans Memorial Bridge
The Veterans Memorial Bridge that links Portland and South Portland is slated for replacement in 2010. The Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS) have been working with both cities and stakeholders to develop a plan for the bridge. Greater Portland Landmarks, Portland Society of Architects, and others concerned with architecture and design are advocating for design excellence for this important gateway to our community. Read a City of Portland Planning and Development memo regarding priorities for the project, below.
Learn more at MDOT, or read the Portland Press Herald article “State Seeks Input on New Bridge.”